November is one of the few months with two birthstones: topaz and citrine. Both come in warm golden tones, topaz also comes in the cool blues most people picture first, and both are hard enough for everyday jewelry. The catch is that the names on jewelry listings, like London blue, Swiss blue, imperial and “natural citrine,” say a lot about how the stone got its color. It helps to know what they mean before you buy.
Here is a plain-English guide to the topaz and citrine you’ll actually see for sale, how to tell what you’re getting, how to care for it, and seven sterling-silver pieces for a November birthday.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Glimmerjam may also earn commissions from other retailers; see our affiliate disclosure.
November’s two birthstones at a glance
- Topaz is a silicate mineral rated 8 on the Mohs hardness scale. It’s harder than quartz, but it has perfect cleavage, which means a sharp knock in the wrong direction can split it. It is the traditional November stone, especially in golden, sherry and orange shades.
- Citrine is yellow-to-orange quartz, rated 7 on the Mohs scale. It has no cleavage, so it is a tough, practical everyday stone. Citrine was added as a modern November birthstone and usually costs less than golden topaz of the same size.
- Blue topaz is often sold as a December birthstone too, so you’ll see it marketed for both months. If your November person loves blue, it’s still topaz, and still a fair November gift.
Blue topaz shades: sky, Swiss and London blue
Almost all blue topaz on the market starts as colorless or pale topaz and gets its blue from irradiation, often followed by heating. It’s the industry standard, the color is stable under normal wear, and in the U.S. treated stones must be held until any residual radioactivity has decayed before they’re sold. Honest listings say “irradiated” or “treated.” The shade names describe color, not origin:
- Sky blue: the lightest, a soft pastel blue.
- Swiss blue: bright, saturated, slightly electric blue. It has nothing to do with Switzerland; it’s a trade name for the color.
- London blue: the deepest, an inky blue with a gray-green undertone that looks great in silver and in white or yellow gold.
- Mystic or rainbow topaz is different. It’s colorless topaz with a thin surface coating. The coating can wear off with friction or harsh cleaning, so it’s better kept for earrings and pendants than for rings.
Imperial and golden topaz
Imperial topaz is the trade name for the most prized warm topaz: golden orange to peachy pink-orange. The classic source is Ouro Preto in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Fine untreated imperial topaz is rare and priced to match, and smaller artisan pendants are often one-of-a-kind. “Golden” or “sherry” topaz is a broader term for yellow-brown to orange topaz. Read the listing for any treatment note, and be wary of anything called “imperial” that is priced like costume jewelry. It may be citrine, glass, or another stone entirely.
Natural vs. heat-treated citrine
Most citrine sold today is heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz. Heating turns purple quartz yellow, orange or reddish-brown, and the color is permanent. Heat-treated citrine is real quartz and a perfectly good gemstone; it just isn’t the rarer, naturally yellow kind. Naturally colored citrine tends to be paler and more lemony to straw-yellow, with soft, even color.
- Read the stone treatment line. Good listings say “heat-treated” outright. If a listing says “natural” without mentioning treatment, it usually means mined quartz (not lab-grown), not necessarily unheated.
- Look at the color. Deep burnt-orange, reddish “Madeira” tones and very saturated amber colors are typical of heated amethyst. Pale, even lemon-to-golden yellow is more typical of natural citrine, though color alone can’t prove anything.
- Watch for white bases in clusters. Bright orange “citrine” geodes and points with chalky white bases are almost always baked amethyst. That matters more for crystals than for faceted jewelry.
- Want proof? Only a gem lab can reliably separate natural from heated citrine. For a birthday gift at these prices, focus on a color you love and an honest listing.
Buying checklist for a November birthday
- Pick the color family first. Warm and golden (citrine, imperial or golden topaz) or cool and blue (Swiss or London blue topaz)? Match it to what they already wear: golden stones flatter yellow gold and warm skin tones, and blues pop in sterling or white metal.
- Choose 925 sterling silver or solid gold settings. Look for a .925 stamp. Rhodium-finished sterling resists tarnish longer.
- Studs and pendants are the safest gifts. No ring size needed. If you choose a ring, check the size option before ordering, since many listings default to one size.
- Bezel settings protect topaz. A metal rim around the stone guards against the knocks that can chip a cleavage-prone gem. Prong settings show off more sparkle.
- Expect treatment disclosure, not perfection. “Irradiated” on blue topaz and “heat-treated” on citrine are normal and honest. Be wary of listings that call glass or cubic zirconia “topaz-colored” or “citrine-tone.”
- Check what’s included. Some pendants come with a chain and some don’t. Some one-of-a-kind pieces ship exactly as pictured, so what you see is what arrives.
Our picks
These listings were checked live before publishing. Links go straight to Amazon with our Associates tag. We don’t list prices here, so check the product page for the current offer. Treatment notes come from each listing.
1. Gem Stone King 925 Sterling Silver Yellow Citrine Pendant Necklace (6 mm Round, 18" Chain)
A 6 mm round citrine in a simple sterling silver setting, with an 18" sterling cable chain included. The listing openly calls the stone heat-treated yellow citrine, which is what most citrine on the market is, so you know exactly what you’re buying. It’s a small, bright everyday pendant that layers easily with other chains.
Best for: a classic, ready-to-gift November birthstone necklace
2. Amazon Collection 925 Sterling Silver 8 mm Cushion-Cut Citrine Stud Earrings
Cushion-cut 8 mm citrine studs with checkerboard faceting, set in 925 sterling silver with push backs. The product specs list the stones as natural (mined) citrine that has been heat treated. The color runs warm golden to amber rather than pale lemon. Ships in a gift box with a polishing cloth and pouch. Make sure the Citrine color option is selected on the page, since the listing also offers other stones.
Best for: a noticeable, everyday pair of golden studs (no sizing needed)
3. Navya Craft Handmade Citrine Ring in 925 Sterling Silver (Oval)
A handmade sterling silver statement ring with a large oval citrine (listing: natural citrine, about 12 × 16 mm) in a bezel setting with lace-like silver detail. The bezel protects the stone, and the big oval shows off citrine’s warm color. Sizes run from 4 to 14, but the link may open on one size, so select the correct ring size before you order. The listing doesn’t say whether the stone is heated.
Best for: the November birthday person who loves a bold, artisan cocktail ring
4. The Russian Stone Imperial Topaz Silver Pendant From Brazil (1.1")
A sterling silver pendant set with Brazilian imperial topaz in a rich golden color, about 1.1 inches long. The seller notes that you receive the actual piece pictured, so it’s a one-of-a-kind item that may sell out. The listing describes it as a pendant and doesn’t mention a chain or any treatment, so plan to add a chain. It’s the most traditional November pick here: golden topaz, the original November stone.
Best for: a meaningful, traditional November gift with imperial-topaz color
5. Gem Stone King 925 Sterling Silver London Blue Topaz Pendant Necklace (6.5 mm Round, 18" Chain)
A 6.5 mm round London blue topaz in a bezel setting on an 18" sterling cable chain. The listing labels the stone irradiated London blue topaz, the standard treatment for this color. The bezel rim helps protect topaz’s cleavage-prone edges, and the deep inky blue reads polished in an office or at dinner.
Best for: a November birthday person who prefers cool, deep blue over gold
6. Gem Stone King Round Swiss Blue Topaz Bezel Stud Earrings, 925 Sterling Silver (5 mm)
Petite 5 mm round Swiss blue topaz studs in sterling silver bezels with friction backs. The listing notes the stones are irradiated, and the bright Swiss blue is the color most people picture when they think of blue topaz. Small, low-profile and listed as suitable for women or men, so they work as a first pair, a second piercing or an understated gift.
Best for: a small, unisex everyday stud in bright blue
7. Peora Swiss Blue Topaz Trillion Stud Earrings, 925 Sterling Silver (6 mm)
Trillion-cut (triangular) 6 mm Swiss blue topaz studs, about 1.50 carats total, prong-set in rhodium-finished sterling silver with a scroll gallery. The product specs list the topaz as natural (mined) and irradiated. The triangular cut throws more sparkle than a round stud of the same size and looks more modern. Comes in a Peora gift box.
Best for: a sparkly, modern blue stud that feels more special than a basic round
How to care for topaz and citrine
- Clean with warm, soapy water and a soft brush, then rinse and dry. That is always safe for both stones.
- Skip ultrasonic and steam cleaners for topaz. Vibration and sudden heat can make its cleavage worse. Coated (mystic) topaz should only get mild soap and a soft cloth.
- Avoid knocks and big temperature changes. Take topaz rings off for the gym, gardening and moving furniture. Citrine is tougher, but long exposure to high heat can change its color.
- Store pieces separately. Topaz (8) and citrine (7) can scratch softer gems and be scratched by harder ones such as sapphire or diamond. Use pouches or a lined box with compartments.
- Polish the silver, not the stone. Use a silver polishing cloth on the metal, and avoid silver dips that soak the gemstone.
- Last on, first off. Put jewelry on after lotion, perfume and hairspray so residue doesn’t dull the stone’s sparkle.
Quick answers
What is the birthstone for November?
November has two: topaz (traditionally golden or imperial topaz, though blue topaz is common in jewelry) and citrine, a yellow-to-orange quartz. Either one is a correct November birthstone gift.
Is blue topaz a November or December birthstone?
Both, in practice. Topaz is November’s stone, and blue topaz is also widely sold as a December birthstone. For a November birthday, golden topaz or citrine is the most traditional choice, but blue topaz is still topaz.
Is blue topaz natural?
The topaz itself is usually a natural mined mineral, but almost all vivid blue topaz gets its color from irradiation, often with heating. The treatment is permanent and standard. Honest listings say “irradiated” or “treated.”
How can I tell real citrine from heat-treated amethyst?
Deep orange, reddish-brown or very saturated amber colors usually point to heated amethyst. Natural citrine tends to be paler, lemon-to-golden yellow. Only a gem lab can confirm it for certain, so rely on the listing’s treatment note.
What is the difference between Swiss blue and London blue topaz?
Swiss blue is bright, vivid sky-to-electric blue. London blue is a deep, inky blue with a grayish undertone. Both are trade names for treated blue topaz colors, not places of origin.
Is topaz or citrine better for everyday rings?
Citrine (Mohs 7, no cleavage) is the tougher choice for daily-wear rings. Topaz is harder (8) but can chip or split from a sharp knock, so choose a bezel or protective setting for a topaz ring, or go with studs and pendants.
Can I clean topaz in an ultrasonic cleaner?
It’s best not to. Use warm soapy water and a soft brush instead. Ultrasonic vibration and steam can damage topaz because of its cleavage, and they can strip coatings from mystic topaz.